Fluids dispensing valve



July 14, 1970 s ussm ET AL 3,520,450

FLUIDS DISPENSING VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet ,L

Filed June 6, 1968 2 N71 MR5, SAMUEL B. PRUSSI N JIMMIE L.MASON July 14,1970 s, p uss ET AL 3,520,450

FLUIDS DISPENSING VALVE Fiied June 6, 1968 .4 Sheets-Sheet :3

July 14, 1970 s p uss ET AL 3,520,450

FLUIDS DISPENSING VALVE ,4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 6, 1968 77/ FIG. I5

wTnRs, SAMUEL B. PRUSSIN JIMMIE L.MASON July 14, 1970 5, PRUSSlN ET AL3,520,450

FLUIDS DISPENSING VALVE Filed June 6, 1968 4 Shegats-Sheet 4 :QE kin A C\i ii iii .in ii i! E.

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f [\TORS. E PRUSS IN M L M A SON United States Patent 01 fice 3,520,450Patented July 14, 1970 3,520,450 FLUIDS DISPENSING VALVE Samuel B.Prussin, Los Angeles, and Jimmie L. Mason,

Hacienda Heights, Calif., assignors to Dart Industries Inc., LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 6, 1968, Ser. No.735,031 Int. Cl. B65d 35/22 U.S. Cl. 22294 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A fluids dispensing valve and method, said valve having apair of poppet valves operable by a common operating member and disposedto dispense fluids through a common chamber and nozzle, said valveshaving actuating means slightly spaced apart therebetween, such thatduring a valve closing operation, one of said valves may be closedslightly before the other of said valves closes, thereby allowing saidother valve to pass fluid therethrough and cause purging of one of saidfluids from said chamber and nozzle during each closing movement of thefluid dispensing valve of the invention at the end of each operatingcycle thereof, and while holding the valve in a normal dispensingattitude.

This invention relates to a self-cleaning fluids dispensing valve, andmore particularly, to a fluids dispensing valve having series operablevalve members adapted sequentially and concurrently to dispense aplurality of fluids through a common chamber and dispensing nozzle andto cause automatic purging and cleaning of said chamber and nozzle byone of the fluids at the end of each valve operating cycle while holdingthe valve in a normal dispensing attitude.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fluids dispensing valves have been used fora great variety of fluids dispensing purposes. Many prior art valves aresubject to malfunctions due to residues which collect therein. Suchresidues may collect in valve chambers and dispensing nozzles used todispense products, such as antiperspirant sprays, starches and paintsprays, or the like. Furthermore, aerosol shaving cream dispensers, andparticularly those used for mixing fluids to create chemical reactionshave encountered problems with relation to undesirable reactions withinthe valve chambers and resultant deterioration of the fluids in therespective aerosol containers thereof.

Various valves for the purpose of dispensing a plurality of fluids havebeen utilized to dispense relatively reactive fluids, however, suchvalves have been quite complicated in order to maintain completeisolation of the relatively reactive fluids from each other, such as toprevent reactions of the fluids within the containers thereof beforedispensing of such materials therefrom.

Accordingly, there has been a requirement for compact, simple andeconomical automatically purging and self-cleaning valve having aminimum of moving parts, and which will operate to prevent thecollection of an undesirable residue in the valve and dispensing nozzlestructures of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel fluidsdispensing valve and method, said valve having series operable valvemembers adapted sequentially and concurrently to dispense fluids througha common chamber and to cause automatic purging and cleaning of thechamber by one of the fluids at the end of each fluid operating cyclewhile holding the valve in a normal dispensing attitude. The

foregoing function is accomplished by novel valve structure of theinvention, wherein first and second valves are provided with actuatingmeans comprising spaced apart members which permit slight opening ofsaid second valve without the opening of said first valve, and wherebyprogressive further opening of said second valve causes said actuatingmeans to open said first valve and permit concurrent operation of bothvalves to allow a plurality of fluids to be mixed in a chamber anddispensed therefrom, and whereby, with the closing motion of said secondvalve, the said first valve is first closed such that a fluid from onlyone source may pass through said chamber and a dispensing nozzle topurge and clean the chamber and nozzle before the final closing of saidsecond valve.

The mechanism of the invention is particularly simple and reliable, andvery economical to produce in small parts, such as those which may bemade of plastic and which are economically practical for use inconnection with expendable aerosol products containers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a verysimple and economical self-purging and cleaning valve particularlyadapted for use in dispensing various aerosol products.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple, economicaland compact fluids dispensing valve which is particularly adapted foruse in connection with expendable aerosol fluid dispensing containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very novel and simplevalve mechanism, wherein a pair of series operated poppet valves areoperable to deliver fluids relative to a common chamber and dispensingnozzle, and are sequentially opened and closed by simple spacedmechanism carried by the respective valves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-cleaningfluids dispensing valve particularly adapted to purge itself at the endof each cycle of operation and which is particularly adapted to dispenseproducts such as antiperspirant sprays, starches and paint sprays, orthe like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple fluidsdispensing valve, wherein first and second sequentially operated valvemembers may communicate with first and second relatively reactivechemical fluids sources, under pressure; the valve members operating toconduct the separate fluids from said sources into a common mixingchamber; said valve members operable in sequence to permit efficientpurging of the chamber by a passage of fluid from said second sourceinto the chamber at the end of each valve operating cycle, and thusfluid from said first source is purged from the chamber, therebypreventing subsequent chemical reaction thereof with said second fluidsource communicating directly with the interior of said chamber.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel method forpurging and cleaning aerosol valves while holding the aerosol valve andits dispenser in a normal dispensing position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from thefollowing specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of apair of fluids dispensing containers disposed in concentric relationwith each other and showing a fluids dispensing valve of the inventionin connection therewith;

FIG. 2 is a enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2-2of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showingone of a pair of valve members of the invention in slightly openposition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a progressive operation ofthe fluids dispensing valve of the invention with both valve memberstherein in open position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 6-6 of FIG.2;

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view of a pair of fluids dispensingcontainers disposed in concentric relation with each other and showing amodified fluids dispensing valve of the invention in connectiontherewith;

FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the modified valveof the invention, taken from the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing one of the valvemembers of the invention in partially open position;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing a progressiveoperation of the fluids dispensing valve of the invention, wherein bothvalve members thereof are in open position to permit concurrentdispensation of a plurality of fluids;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken from the line 1212 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken from the line 13l3 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but showingthe fluids dispensing valve of the invention for use in dispensingsingle phase aerosol products, such as antiperspirants, starches, paintsprays, and the like, wherein one liquid fluid and one vapor fluid maybe dispensed by the valve of the invention, and showing a conventionaldip tube in connection with the valve for such purposes; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing themodified valve of the invention with a dip tube in connection therewithand adapted for use in dispensing single phase aerosol products, such asantiperspirant sprays, starches and paint sprays, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The self-cleaning fluidsdispensing valve of the invention is primarily concerned with meanswhich automatically purges and cleans the valve and valve chamber,

together with the dispensing nozzles thereof at the end of eachoperating cycle of the valve of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14 of the drawings, the fluids dispensing valveof the present invention is disposed in a valve housing 10 carried by asubstantially conventional cap 12 of a container 14 which may be ofsubstantially conventional construction known in the art of aerosolproducts containers.

When the valve of the invention is used as shown in FIG. 1, it isadapted to dispense a plurality of fluids, such as may be required toproduce a hot foam shave lather.

When the valve of the invention is used, a shown in FIG. 14, it maydispense such products as antiperspirants, starches and paints, or thelike, as will be hereinafter described.

The valve housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1, carries a collapsible bag-likecontainer 16 which is adapted to contain a first source, while thecontainer 14 is adapted to contain a second source of fluid to bedispensed through the valve housing 10 of the invention, as will behereinafter described in detail.

An operating member 18 is utilized for manual operation of thedispensing valve of the invention, and this operating member 18 is inthe form of a movably mounted hollow dispensing nozzle having a fluidsdispensing open end 20.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the valve housing 10 may be made ofplastic or any other suitable material, and is a generally hollowcylindrical structure having an external annular wall 22 pressed into ahollow cylindrical generally cup-shaped portion 24 of the container cap12. The cup-shaped structure 24 has a partially enclosed end 26 providedwith an opening 28 therein. This opening 28 is slightly larger indiameter than a circular opening 30 of a resilient gasket 32 whichintimately engages and surrounds a hollow cylindrical valve stem 34which is fitted into a cylindrical portion 36 of the operating member18. The cup-shaped structure 24 retains the gasket 32 compressivelyengaged with an open end 33 of the housing 10.

Disposed in the valve housing 10 are first and second valve members 38and 40. The valve member 40 is fixed to the stem 34, as will behereinafter described.

The valve members 38 and 40 are generally annular poppet valves havingrelatively opposed annular ledges 42 and 44, respectively, between whicha compression spring 46 exerts force tending to hold the valve members38 and 40 against seats 48 and 50, respectively. The seat 48 is disposedin one end 52 of the housing 10 while the seat is disposed in theopposite end 53 of the housing 10 and constitutes an annular portion ofthe resilient gasket 32 against which an annular portion of the valvemember 40 bears. The spring 46 tends to hold both of the halves closedagainst their respective seats.

Communicating internally of the seat 52 of the first valve member 38 isa first fluids inlet passage 54 which communicates with the interior ofthe collapsible bag 16. This bag 16 is provided with a neck portion 56sealingly secured onto a hollow neck portion 58 of the housing 10, allas shown best in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The poppet valve stem 34 is a hollow tubular structure having a fluidsdispensing bore 60. The stem 34 is provided with a plurality of ports oropenings 62 adjacent to the seat 50 of the valve, and adjacent to itsoutlet, such that when the valve 44 is moved from its seat, fluids mayflow around the poppet head of the valve and through the openings 62 andinto the bore 60.

Actuating mechanism of the invention provides for interengagement andsequential operation of the valve members 38 and 40. This actuatingmechanism, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a recess 64 in the poppet valvemember 38. This recess 64 being preferably annular and surrounded by asurrounding wall structure 66. The poppet valve member 40* is providedwith a projecting portion 68 of substantially smaller diameter than therecess 64 to provide a spaced relation thereof with the wall structure66 so as to permit slight tiltable or axial opening of the valve 40without having the projection 68 contact the wall structure 66.

As shown in FIG. 4, the projecting portion 68 is moved into contact withthe wall structure 66, at which time the valve 40 is opened relative toits seat 50 to allow fluid, under pressure, to flow from a chamber inthe housing 10. Separate fluids are mixed in the chamber 70 duringdispensation thereof and during each operating cycle of the fluidsdispensing valve of the invention, as will be hereinafter described indetail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the bolls ing 10 is providedwith a port 72 serving as a second passage means which communicatesdirectly with the chamber 70 and with a second fluid source internallyof the container 14. Accordingly, it will be apparent that aerosolfluid, under pressure, in the container 14 communicates directly throughthe port 72 and with the interior of the chamber 70 in the housing 10.

It will be seen that the valve members 38 and 40 are shown in closedposition in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and are forced apart by the spring46 into engagement with the seats 48 and 50, so that no fluid may flowthrough either of the passages 54 or 72.

The disposition of the valves 38 and 40 in the chamber is such that thevalves are forced in opposite directions from each other, whereupon theseats 48 and 50 form opposite walls or seat structure of the housing 10relative to the chamber 70 therein.

In operation of the fluids dispensing valve of the invention, thecontainer, as shown in FIG. 1 of the draw ings, namely, the container14, is preferably inverted so that the fluid therein may gravitate intodirect communication with the opening 72, and such that the liquid inthe collapsible bag 16 communicates directly with the passage '54 andthe valve seat 48.

When the actuating member or nozzle 18 is tilted laterally of its boreaxis, the valve stem 34, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, is tiltedand the flexible gasket 32 is deflected, as shown in FIG. 4, so as topermit the valve member 40 to be tilted away from its seat 50. When thevalve member 40 is tilted to the position, as shown in FIG. 4, thechamber 70 is momentarily open through the bore 60 of the valve stem 34and actuator 18 to atmospheric pressure which is lower than that in thecontainer 14 causing fluid to flow through the passage 72 into thechamber 70 and outwardly through the open end 20 of the actuator anddispensing nozzle 18. This flow initially is very slight since theprojection 68 of the valve 40 engages the recess surrounding structure66 causing the valve 38 to move to the open position, as shown in FIG. 5of the drawings, such that fluids may flow concurrently from the bag 16around the valve 38 and through the passage 72 into the chamber 70,whereupon the two separate fluids from the bag 16 and container 14 mixin the chamber 70, and then progress outwardly through the openings 62and passage 60, and through the hollow nozzle-shaped actuator member 18which forms an outlet.

During the flow of the separate fluids into the chamber 70, they mix andin the event such fluids are relatively chemically reactive, anyreaction which takes place may do so in the chamber 70. Such anoperation may be desirable in relation to the dispensation of aplurality of fluids for creating exo thermal reactions and also creatinghot foam shave lather, or the like.

In order to prevent any of the reactive materials from remaining in thechamber 70 and communicating directly through the passage 72 with theinterior of the container 14 and with the fluids therein, the dispensingvalve of the invention, when moved from the open position, as shown inFIG. 5, toward a closing position, causes the valve 38 to be in closedposition, as shown in FIG. 4, with the valve 40 remaining momentarilyopen, as shown in FIG. 4. This automatically happens during a closingmovement of the valve, since the valve 38 will always close before thevalve 40 due to the spaced relation of the projection 68 and the recesssurrounding wall structure 66.

With the valve 40 in the open position, as shown in FIG. 4, fluid underpressure, continues to flow through the passage 72 from the container14, and this subsequent flow of the fluids from the container 14 afterthe valve 38 has closed, causes purging of the chamber 70 by materialsfrom the container 14 leaving only such materials in the chamber 70 indirect communication with the materials in the container 14, and thusafter the valve 40 closes, the chamber 70 contains only materialssimilar to those in the container 14, and prevents a reaction whichtends to deteriorate materials in the container 14.

The materials previously dispensed from the bag 16, although they arereactive with the materials in the container 14 will have been purged byflow of the materials through the passage 72 from the container 14 afterthe valve 38 has closed and the materials therefrom have ceased to flowinto the chamber '70.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that each time the valve isoperated or with each cycle of operation of the dispensing valve of theinvention, that the valve 40 always closes last and permits flow fromthe container 14 through the passage 72 to purge materials from thechamber 70 and to leave only materials from the container 14 in thechamber 70.

For purposes of correspondence with the claims, it will be noted thatthe valves 38 and 40 are termed first and second valves, respectively,while the passages 54 and 72 are termed first and second passages, andthe sources of fluids in the bag 16 and container 14 are termed firstand second fluid sources, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 14, it will be seen that the valve as disclosedin FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6 is equipped with a conventional dip tube 73adapted to extend to a lower portion 13 of the container 14. This use ofthe valve provides for the conduction of fluid from the bottom portion13 of the container 14 through the dip tube 73 and into the bore 54 ofthe valve, hereinbefore described. This arrangement provides for singlephase aerosol dispensation of fluids wherein one fluid may be a liquidmaterial common to antiperspirant products or starches or paints, whileanother of the separate fluids in the container 10- may be in the formof a vapor which communicates through the passage 72 with the interiorof the channel 70. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the presentinvention may be used in connection with a single container 14 wherein adip tube 73 is installed or may be used as hereinbefore described inconnection with a pair of containers 14 and 16 for a multiphase aerosoldispensing function.

In the modification of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 13of the drawings, the containers 14 and 16 and the container cap 12 aresimilar to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings. Thus, materialscontained in the collapsible bag 16 constitutes a first fluid source,while materials which may be contained in the container 14 mayconstitute a second fluid source, and aerosol pressure fluid in thecontainer 14 may serve to collapse the bag 16 and pressurize fluidtherein.

As shown in FIG. 7, the modified structure of the invention comprises avalve housing 76 which is fixed in a cylindrical generally cup-shapedportion 78 of the cap 12, this detail being shown best in FIG. 9 of thedrawings. The cup-shaped portion 78 of the cap 12 is provided with acentral opening 80 therein through which a valve stem 82 projects. Thisvalve stem 82 forms an outlet for the fluids dispensing valve of theinvention, all as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The portion 78 of the cap 12 retains a resilient gasket 84 on the innerside thereof. This gasket 84 is provided with a central opening throughwhich the valve stem extends and the gasket 84 and the cap 78 thus formone end wall for the housing 76. Adjacent this wall, so formed, is afluid receiving and mixing chamber 88.

A second wall structure adjacent the chamber 88 is formed by a wallmember 92 engaging a resilient seat member 92 which is maintained incompressed relation with an annular shoulder 96 in the housing 76.

The wall structure 90 is maintained againnst the seat member 94 which isheld against the seat 96 by a compression spring 98. The spring 98engages a ledge 99 on a poppet valve 100. The valve 100 is preferablyintegral with the hollow stem 82. The spring 98 thus forces the poppetvalve 100, at its annular seat engaging portion 102, into engagementwith a seat surface 104 of the gasket 84.

The valve stem 82 of the poppet valve 100 is provided with a bore 106which communicates with openings 108 in the' stem. These openings 108are disposed on the outlet side of the annular seat engaging portion 102and adjacent the seat 104 to allow fluids to flow through the bore 106when the poppet valve 100 is opened, as will be hereinafter described indetail.

A poppet valve 110 is provided with a stem 112 which projects throughthe wall structure 90. This stem 112 is provided with a bore 114 whichcommunicates with ports 7 116 in the stem. These ports 116 are adjacentto the poppet valve 110 adjacent a seat engaging potrion 118 thereof,this portion 118 engages a valve seat surface 120 of the resilientgasket 94. The poppet valve 110 while open permits fluid to flow aroundand between the annular seat engagement portion 118 and the seat 120,and through the ports 116 in the stem 114 adajcent to the seat 120.

A spring 122 in the valve housing 76 is engaged at its one end with anend wall 124 of the valve housing 76. An opposite end of the spring 122engages an annular ledge 126 on the poppet valve 110 and tends to holdit at its annular seat engaging portion 118 securely engaged with theseat portion 120 of the gasket 94.

The poppet valves 100 and 110 are provided with respective spacedactuating portions 128 and 136. These spaced actuating portions arerelatively engageable with each other and are adapted to permit slightopening of the poppet valve 100 without opening the poppet valve 110, aswill be hereinafter described in detail.

The actuating portion 130 of the valve 110 is an integral portion of thehollow stem 112 and the stem 112 is provided with ports 132 in the sidewall thereof to permit fluid to flow radially outward adjacent to theactuactor end portion 130 of the stem 112.

The housing 76 is provided with a first fluid passage 134 internally ofa neck portion 136 of the housing. Secured to the neck portion 136 is asealing portion 138 of the bag 16, all as shown best in FIG. 9 of thedrawings. Thus, a first source of fluid from the bag 16 communicateswith the passage 134 and the poppet valve 110.

The housing 76 is provided with a second fluid passage means designated140, this being in the form of a port in the side wall of the housing76, and this port communicates directly with the chamber 88, and at alocation between the valve members 100 and 110.

In opeartion of the modified dispensing valve of the invention, as shownin FIGS. 7 to 13 of the drawings, the container 14 is preferablyinverted relative to the position shown in FIG. 7, such that theoperating member 18 is directed downwardly and so that fluid in thecontainer 14 communicates directly with the passage 140 and so that thefluid in the callapsible bag 15 also communicates directly with thepassage 134.

In this position, the operating member 18 is tilted to tilt the valvestem 82, as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, such that the annular seatengaging portion 102 of the valve 100 is slightly spaced from the seat104 to permit fluid to flow through the passage 140 and downwardlythrough the openings 108 and the bore 106 of the valve stem 82, and tobe dispensed directly from the operating member 18 at its open end 20.During initial opening movement of the valve 100, the actuating portions128 and 130 become engaged subsequent to the opening of the valve 100and consequently the valve 110 operates subsequently and in sequencerelative to the valve 100.

With a progressive movement of the valve 100, the actuating portions 128and 130 of the valves 100 and 110 cause the valve 110 to be displacedfrom its seat 120 and to thereby permit fluid to flow from thecollapsible bag 16 through the passage 134 around the valve 110, throughthe slots 116 and ports 132, and into the chamber 88. Thus, when bothvalves 100 and 110 are open, as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, thefluids from the container 14 and the bag 16 mix in the chamber 88 andflow outwardly through the valve stem 82 and the actuator nozzle 18. Thefluids may react exo-thermally and/ or form such products as hot foamshave lather, or the like, when passing through the chamber 88. Whensuflicient materials have been dispensed, and when the valve 100 ismoved toward a closed position, the valve 110 again moves back to theposition, as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings, and becomes closed beforethe valve 100 closes. This causes continued passage of fluid from thecontainer 14 into the chamber 88 to purge the materials therefrom whichhave been previously dispensed through the valve 110. Thus, at the endof each opearting cycle, the valve remains open a short time after thevalve closes, and thus causes flow through the passage 140 to purge thechamber 88 and leave only materials dispensed from the container 14therein, and communicating directly with the interior of the container14 through the passage 140. Thus, during each cycle of operation of thedispensing valve of the invention, the mixing chamber 88 is purged andcontains only material which will not react with the materialscommunicating directly therewith via the passage 140.

For purposes of correspondence with the claims, the valves 110 and 100are termed first and second valves, respectively. The passages 134 and140 are termed first and second fluid passages, respectively, and theseats and 104 are termed first and second valve seats, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 15, the container 14 is provided with a conventionalcap 12 which holds the embodied valve housing 76 of the invention. Thismodified valve housing being that disclosed in FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12and 13. Coupled to this valve housing 76 is a conventional dip tube 77adapted to communicate with the bore 134 of the valve housing 76. Theport is adapted to communicate with a fluid in vapor form while the diptube 77 is adapted to communicate with a liquid, such as may be commonto antiperspirant sprays, starches or paint spray products. Accordinglythis use of the modified valve, shown in FIG. 15, accomplishes a singlephase dispensation of aerosol products, wherein two separate fluidssources constitute one liquid source in the bottom portion of thecontainer 14, and a vapor source in the upper portion of the container14, said vapor source communicating with the passage 140.

In accordance with the foregoing terms, it will be understood, thatseparate fluid sources may be construed to mean a single phase aerosolarrangement of fluids in a single container or a plurality of fluidsincluding a plurality of liquids and a pressurizing vapor fluid.Separate fluid sources, according to the present invention, may beconstrued to mean a single liquid in the bottom of a container as onefluid source, and a pressurizing vapor fluid in the same containeroperating as another separate fluid source.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that selfcleaning andself-purging valve of the invention is adaptable to several usesprincipally to maintain the valves as well as the valve mixing chambersand nozzles clean following each operating cycle thereof so as toprevent the accumulation of residue in the valve mechanism which,according to prior art practice, has caused malfunctioning of the valve,and further from the foregoing description it will be apparent that theoperation of the valve of the invention prevents relatively reactivefluids from becoming contaminated due to a residue in the valve housingor valve chamber which may be retained in communication with one of therelatively reactive fluids controlled by the valve of the invention.

The invention comprises a novel method, whereby aerosol valves, whichare used to dispense active ingredients of a nature which tends to clogthe valve, may be purged of the active ingredients at the end of eachoperating cycle, while holding the valve and its related dispenser in anormal dispensing attitude. This novel method comprises the confining ofan active ingredient and a vapor, under pressure, in an aerosolcontainer, wherein the active ingredient and the vapor are dispensedthrough a common passage such that the active ingredient may bedispensed normally and whereing dispensation of the active ingredienthas been completed, vapor is then passed through the same passages whichconduct the active ingredient in order to disperse the active ingredientresidue from the passages, and to clean the valve and the nozzle at theend of each operating cycle. This method involves the initial passage ofvapor through the dispensing passages, then the dispensation of theactive ingredient through the passages, then the shut off of the flow ofthe active ingredient through the passages, and then the flow of saidvapor through the same passages in order to disperse and purge thesepassages to clean them and remove the active ingredient to preventaccumulation thereof and ultimate clogging of the passages, includingthe valve and the dispensing nozzle structure of the invention, At thebeginning of each cycle of operation, the vapor is first passed throughthe passages, and at the end of each cycle, the vapor is shut off afterthe purging phase of the operating cycle is completed so that each timethe valve of the invention is operated, the steps of dispensing vapor,then the active ingredient, then the shutting off of the activeingredient, then the purging and dispersal of the active ingredient fromthe passages, and then the shut off of the purging vapor all occur andare caused to follow in continuity, while the valve and the relatedaerosol fluids container is held in a normal dispensing attitude whichis the same attitude assumed during the dispensation of the activeingredient from the valve and the related aerosol container.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a mannerlimited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a fluids dispensing valve, the combination of: a valve housing;first and second valve members movably mounted in said housing; firstand second fluid source passage means communicating with the interior ofsaid housing and adapted to conduct respective first and seconds fluids,under pressure, from separate fluid sources, said first and secondpassage means communicating respectively with said first and secondvalve members; a chamber in said housing; said first valve communicatingwith the interior of said chamber and with said first passage means,said first valve, when open, adapted to deliver fluid from said firstsource through said first passage means and into said chamber; saidsecond passage means adapted to deliver fluid directly to the interiorof said chamber; said chamber having an outlet opening; said secondvalve, when open, disposed to deliver a mixture of said first and secondfluids from said chamber through said outlet opening; means tending tomaintain said first and second valve members closed; and actuator meansdisposed to control opening and closing of both said first and secondvalves, said actuator means including first and second spaced apartengaging structures carried respectively by said first and second valvemembers; and a valve operating member disposed to move said Second valveto a partially open position until said spaced engaging structures areengaged, whereupon said first valve is subsequently opened thereby; andwhen said operating member moves said second valve toward a closedposition, said first valve closes first and said second valve closessubsequently so as to permit fluid, under pressure, from said secondsource to communicate through said second passage means and to permitsaid fluid from said second source only to flow into said chamber aftersaid first valve closes and before said second valve closes in order topurge materials from said first source out of said chamber berore saidsecond valve closes.

2. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first and secondvalve members are opposed to each other; first and second opposed valveseats in said chamber being engageable by said first and second valves;a spring disposed between said valve members tending to force said valvemembers against respective ones of said seats; said second passage meanscommunicating with the interior of said housing and said second fluidsource in an area of said chamber between said seats; said housinghaving said first passage means communicating with said first fluidsource and said first seat, said housing having an outlet openingcommunicating with said second valve seat and said second valve member.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said valve members areboth annular poppet valve members, said engaging structure of one ofsaid valves including structure surrounding a recess therein, saidrecess directed toward the other one of said valve members, the otherone of said valve members having a projection loosely disposed in spacedapart relation with said structure surrounding said recess to permitslight opening of said second valve member relative to said second seatwithout opening said first valve member relative to said first seat.

4. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein: said operating memberis secured to said second valve mem ber, said operating member being ahollow tubular structure projecting through said outlet opening of saidchamber, said hollow tubular structure having openings therethroughdisposed adjacent to said second valve member at a side thereof adjacentsaid second seat; and flexible seal means sealingly and deflect-ablyengaging said hollow tubular structure around said outlet opening ofsaid chamber.

5. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said operating memberand said second valve member are tiltably movable relative to saidflexible seal and said outlet opening so as to tilt said second valvemember off said second seat to slightly compress said spring betweensaid first and second valve members.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a compressible fluidcontaining bag communicates with said first valve member through saidfirst fluid passage; said housing having said second passagecommunicating directly with said chamber and said second fluid source;and a second container communicating directly with said second passagemeans and said housing and surrounding said bag and serving to containsaid second fluid source; said container adapted to contain pressurizedfluid capable of collapsing said flexible bag, and thereby pressurizingfluid therein.

7. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said housing isprovided With a pair of spaced walls; said chamber being located betweensaid walls, each of said walls having a valve stem receiving openingtherein, one of said valve stem receiving openings being said firstpassage means and the other of said valve stem receiving openings beingsaid outlet opening of said chamber, each of said valves being a poppetvalve and having a hollow valve stem projecting through a respective oneof said valve stem openings, both of said valve stems extending in thesame direction; a valve seat at each of said walls engageable by arespective one of said poppet valves; a pair of springs carried by saidhousing and tending to hold said valves adjacent respective ones of saidseats, each of said hollow valve stems having openings therethroughadjacent each respective valve and adjacent each respective seat, a stemof said first valve extending into said chamber in closely spacedrelation to said second valve, whereby said second valve may be openedslightly without causing engagement of said last mentioned stem andcausing opening of said first valve.

8. The invention, as defined in claim '7, wherein: said stem of saidsecond valve constitutes said operating member and extends outwardlyfrom said housing through said outlet opening and serving as a means formoving said second valve toward open position.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a compressible fluidcontaining bag communicates with said first valve; a containersurrounding said housing and said bag and communicating with said secondfluid passage and serving to contain said second fluid source, saidcontainer adapted to contain pressurized fluid capable of collapsingsaid flexible bag and pressurizing fluid therein.

10. The invention, as defined in claim 9, wherein: said second valve andsecond valve stem are tiltably mounted so as to permit tiltable movementof said second valve ofl its respective seat and to slightly compresssaid respective spring and progressively to cause operating engagementof said second valve member with the stem of said first valve member.

11. In a fluids dispensing valve, the combination of: a valve housing;first and second separate poppet valve members movably mounted in saidhousing; first and second fluid source passage means communicating withthe interior of said housing and adapted to conduct respective first andsecond fluids, under pressure, from separate fluid sources, said firstand second passage means communicating respectively with said first andsecond valve members, a chamber in said housing; said first valvecommunicating with the interior of said chamber and with said firstpassage means, said first valve, when open, adapted to deliver fluidfrom said first source through said first passage means and into saidchamber; said second passage means adapted to deliver fluid directly tothe interior of said chamber; said chamber having an outlet opening;said second valve, when open, disposed to deliver a mixture of saidfirst and second fluids from said chamber through said outlet opening;means tending to maintain said first and second valve members closed; anactuator means disposed to control opening and closing of both saidfirst and second valves, said actuator means including means responsiveto the opening of said second valve for subsequently opening said firstvalve; said last mentioned means of said actuator means, disposed topermit said first valve to close first and said second valve to closesubsequently so as to permit fluid, under pressure, from said secondsource to communicate through said second passage means and to permitsaid fluid from said second source only to flow into said chamber aftersaid first valve closes and before said second valve closes in order todisperse and purge materials from said first source out of said chamberbefore said second valve closes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,187,963 6/1965 Anderson222402.24 X 3,325,056 6/1967 Lewis 222136 X 3,341,082 9/1967 Meshberg222-402.18 X 3,416,711 12/1968 Gross 222-402.18 3,241,722 3/1966 Nissen222386.5 X 3,454,198 7/1969 Flynn 222--402.22 X

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner N. L. STACK, 1a., Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R.

